Church Fete
Called and Equipped
“Called & Equipped” is a comprehensive year-long program designed to provide a solid foundation in Catholic teaching. This would be suitable for anyone active in their parish such as leaders of children’s liturgy, pastoral council members, parish secretaries, youth leaders, Eucharistic ministers and readers, or anyone looking to go deeper in faith.
There will be an introductory webinar on 23rd May 2024 which people can register for via the weblink. Alternatively, for inquiries or anyone who might be interested in joining the program they can email Joanna.hale@northamptondiocese.org
Click Above for more details.
Women in Ministry
Northampton Diocese has a Women in Ministry group which has been active for a number of years. The next gathering is on June 8th at St Mary’s Woburn Sands, 10am until 4pm. This is an opportunity to reflect on women in the catholic church, their calling and vocation, their gifts and ministries, their voice in the synod and a chance to listen, pray, share, and reflect. For more information please visit https://northamptondiocese.org/women-in-ministry/ or email helen.burgess@northamptondiocese.org. All are welcome!
The Food Bank at St Mary’s
Since the pandemic our support for the Food Bank has dwindled. It seems a good time to increase our support now. There will be collection boxes on the shelf in the porch each Sunday – if these become full please put your contributions under the shelf. We will need a few volunteers to help to transport the donations. If you would like to help or want to know more about what is involved, please speak to me after Mass or contact me on 01908 607896.
Margaret Carrel
Would you like to learn more about your faith?
Consider joining online to follow the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies or Diocesan Certificate in Religious Studies? Both courses offer the same eight modules in Scripture and Catholic Theology with the CCRS leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Those who follow the CCRS/DCRS say they gain a great deal from the course, deepening their knowledge and understanding of their faith. To find out more about the course, contact Ann Collon E-mail: educationserviceadmin@northamptondiocese.org or visit our
website: www.northamptondioceseschools.org
Knitting and Crochet Group
St Mary’s Church Hall, Woburn Sands, Friday mornings, 10.00 am – 12.30 pm
Everyone is welcome, (people of all faiths and none), and we are not limited to knitting and crochet. Feel free to bring beading, sewing, embroidery – indeed any craft or activity you enjoy – or just come along for the craic! If you have not done any knitting or crochet for a long time, and feel your skills are now limited, do come along. We can help, support and encourage you. If you are an absolute beginner, do come along. We can teach you.
Do not worry about materials and equipment. We have received generous donations of wool, knitting needles, crochet hooks and patterns. Just come along, and we can help you get started, or pick up where you left off. We also provide good conversation, lots of laughs, snacks, and tea and coffee.
Join us any Friday between 10.00am and 12.30pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, Aspley Hill, Woburn Sands, MK17 8NN.
Contact: Margaret Rooney, 07889 926437, margaretrooney62@gmail.com
Memorial Mass
The anniversary of Fr Paul’s death is on 22nd May. As he is buried in our cemetery at Woburn Sands, we thought we would mark the occasion in a simple way by celebrating Mass at St Mary’s in Woburn Sands on the following weekend. We can then pray at the graveside and have refreshments in the hall. We will gather on Saturday 25th May at 11am at St Mary’s. Later in the autumn, we will have a fuller series of memorial events.
Eternal rest grant unto them Oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them may they rest in peace AMEN
The Catenian Association
We are a group of Catholic men and families who in this increasingly secular world, meet safe in the knowledge that we are a universal network of like-minded people who share the same Gospel values.
Milton Keynes Circle meets socially once a month and organise social activities throughout the year. The Association is one of the main sponsors of ‘Flame’, the largest gathering of Catholic young people in the UK. Province 14 organises the Catholic Schools 6th Form, Public Speaking challenge, held regionally at Herts University with the national final in Manchester every year. The Association’s bursary fund also contributes to helping our young people in other ways. We also support each other and the mission of the Catholic Church.
It would be wonderful to increase membership from the St Barnabas Cluster so do email Jim Ballesty at jim_ballesty@hotmail.co.uk or Richard Golden at richard.golden@btinternet.com and we will happily provide more obligation- free information.”
Sunday Collection
Finances
Over the last few months, in a number of our parishes we have had presentations about our finances and hope to complete the rest of the parishes before the summer holidays.
They have focused upon where our money comes from, where it goes, what our budget for the forthcoming year looks like and some practical ways in which we can help. Below are links to Gift Aid/Sanding Order forms and ways to contribute by card.
Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support of our parishes
Printable Gift Aid and Standing Order Form
Last Sunday’s Collection
St Bede’s – £328.47
Christ the King – £631.24
St Edward’s – £868.51
St Mary’s – £563.70
Our Lady of Lourdes
and Christ the Cornerstone – £785.14
SIncluding donations made by standing order.
Thank you very much for your generosity.
St Mary's Catholic Church 